Bucket List Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
Arizona is a personal favorite destination to visit in the USA. I have been able to explore the many experiences that this desert state has to offer, and I want to share them with you! Catch a flight to Phoenix, hop into a rental car or RV, and hit the road. Here are the best stops along my Bucket List Arizona Road Trip Itinerary.
STOP 1: Phoenix
Photo Cred: Ian Dziuk, Unsplash
After arriving into PDX, check into your dreamy hotel (like the RISE Uptown or the Hermosa Inn) or grab you a van to try out the van life. Phoenix is huge and the home to a bunch of great shops and restaurants. Some of my favorites are…
Matt’s Big Breakfast
Ghost Ranch
Century Grand
Across the Pond
Pa’La
Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion
Photo Cred: Booking.comOne area of Phoenix that I love to grab dinner and drinks in is Scottsdale. This suburb of PDX is home to upscale Southwestern homes, golf courses, and upscale cuisine. Keep reading for my recommendations on where to indulge in Scottsdale.
STOP 2: Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a suburb of Phoenix and around 30 minute drive. I have friends who I have visited here and we always seem to end up partying up here. A couple of my favorite bars/restaurants are Longhorn Saloon (dollar bills all over the wall), RA Sushi bar, and Ruze Cake Shop. Make sure to check out my girl, Christy Hunter’s, tour PhotoWalk Scottsdale (see photos by Gina Palmeri below) if you wanna grab pics at their many murals around Old Town.
More of a club person?! We have liked Bottled Blonde and these other clubs listed here. More of a outdoorsy person than a bar scene lady?! Visit Lost Dutchman State Park for the wildflower super bloom in the spring time. The hiking trails are PICTURESQUE AF! Wanna just hide away and be lazy in your boujee hotel?! Heres are a couple of my go to’s (photos from Booking.com)…
STOP 3: Flagstaff
On your way up to see the Grand Canyon, make sure to stop in the small, college town of Flagstaff Arizona. Home to higher elevations and quite the different landscape than what you would expect. There are great breweries, shops and cafes to stop in and stretch your legs for the last leg of the trip to the next stop, Sedona. Check out Coconino Lava Caves, Grand Falls and Wupatki Spirit Totem Poles, that have a mysterious, Native American origin. Finish off the hikes with a cold beer at Historic Brewing Company.
Photo Cred: Unsplash
STOP 4: Sedona
Sedona is known to be one of the most special places on Earth because of it’s “vortexes”. In the pamphlets I read and the locals I spoke with, a vortex is essentially a super healthy part of the planet that promotes wellness and vibrates at higher energies. Some say it’s because of the crystals that are buried throughout the land, the large geological features in the area, or the history surrounding the supernatural or Native American spirituality.
I attended a yoga retreat with Hola Yoga in March of 2021 where we experienced a bit of Sedona’s healing powers. Tune into your inner hippie spirit and let nature do the rest. Mar*juana is legal in this state so a mix of friendship, Mary J, and relaxation is just what this town is perfect for. Click links below for the best hotels in the area:
Take full advantage of exploring the area by hiking, horseback riding, or ATV’ing. All experiences that are available to book from the main part of town or online on TripAdvisor.
Here are the best things to do in the area:
Devil’s Bridge
Bell Rock
Curaleaf Dispensary- right next door to Sedona Beer Co.
STOP 5: Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world. There are different sections of the national park, with the most popular being the South Rim. Hike along the Grand Canyon Skywalk glass bridge or the Rim Trail, a paved walk with picturesque overlooks . If you are in for a workout, descend into the canyon via South Kaibab Trail. It is not for the faint of heart and with my fear of heights, this one was a challenge for me.
View from Desert View Watchtower
Other view points can be accessed via the East Rim or more difficult to access, the North Rim, which is closed October to May due to the winter weather conditions (very icy). My favorite stops include Little Colorado River Tribal Park and Historic Cameron Trading Post. If you are staying in the area and want to spend a few days, take a white water rafting trip through the bottom of the canyon.
Additionally if you want to visit a different area of the park that isn’t just the rim trails, check out Havasupi. This area of the Grand Canyon is home to the Native American tribe of the Havasu people and some of the must beautiful turquoise water falls between orange rock. You either have to hike 5 miles in and out or be dropped in by helicopter. I recommend making this one full trip to be able to fully explore the area.
STOP 6: Page, AZ
Page Arizona is truly a mind-blowing place to visit. I might even like it more than the Grand Canyon. There are slot canyons, the Horseshoe Canyon, and the iconic Wave! A slot canyon is a narrow gorge through soft rock, created by the rain and flooding. The most popular one to visit is Antelope Canyon. It is located on Native American lands and so the only way to access the site is with the Navajo tour companies. Check out this top rated tour on Viator.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Tuscon
Photo Cred: The JTH Tuscon Instagram
If you would rather head towards Route 66, there is SO much to explore just south of Phoenix. Tucson is the next closest city to Sagauro National Forest and other Native American UNESCO sites. I dream of staying at The JTH Inn in their Saguaro Suite or really any of their dreamy desert oasis hideaways.
Other iconic Arizona Road Trip Stops south of Tuscon:
-Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook, AZ
-Longhorn Grill and Saloon - photo opportunity
-El Dorado Hot Springs in Tonopah, AZ
This bucket list Arizona road trip itinerary has loads of room for flexibility. 10/10 recommend renting a car to go at your own pace and to be able to pull over on the side of the road at outpost, Native American trading posts, and scenic vistas. You will experience the most magical sunsets and eclectic shops. The best time to go, in my opinion, is during the springtime for superbloom. Definitely not in the middle of the summer where you feel like you are cooking yourself. Safe travels!!!
